Gavare stole Mrs McGlynn's possessions and detectives found them at the killer's house.

They included personal documents and passports, as well as house keys and items of furniture.

Gavare was also caught trying to access the pensioner's bank account using forged power of attorney documents a few days after the pensioner's disappearance.

Sheer greed

Justice Trish Kelly said Gavare was "motivated by nothing more than sheer greed" and it was a murder was in the worst category of crimes, with no mitigating factors.

"Notwithstanding the fact that you have been privileged to receive the best legal representation money could buy, there is barely a thing which your counsel could say on your behalf which would provide any sort of mitigation of the circumstances of your crime," she said.

"There is no evidence of any remorse or contrition, you did not even have the decency to give some small solace to the family and friends of Mrs McGlynn by divulging how and where you disposed of the head and hands of this most unfortunate woman.

"It would be a small comfort perhaps to be able to conclude that your actions were the product of madness. Unfortunately they appear to be nothing more than the actions of a greedy, narcissistic and deceitful woman completely devoid of any moral insight or empathy. This makes you a very dangerous person indeed."

"It is very sad that your two children will grow up without their mother. Those young children are also in a real sense victims of your crime, however you must understand that you and you alone are responsible for that consequence," she said.

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had urged no parole period be set, but Justice Kelly said "the interests of justice will be better served by the imposition of a lengthy non-parole period".

Gavare's 32-year sentence was backdated to February 2009, when she was taken into custody.

'Happy and beautiful person'

One of Mrs McGlynn's close friends and neighbours, Therese Molloy, said she was pleased with the sentence and that the lengthy legal ordeal was finally over.

"It's a wonderful day, it's a great day, justice has been delivered."

"Many thanks to the DPP, Detective Sergeant Fitzpatrick, SAPOL (SA Police) for what they have done to help bring this terrible crime to justice and we're very relieved that our friend has been put to rest."

Mrs Molloy paid tribute to Mrs McGlynn.

"If she was here now we would be going out for a party. She was a really happy and beautiful person. She loved family life, she was part of our family, we miss her very much.

"She was just a very independent, intelligent, well-travelled woman.

"It's a wonderful day, we're going to go and have a coffee and celebrate our friend's life."

She said she struggled to comprehend the brutal crime or understand Gavare's lack of remorse.

"I thought she looked like a very sour, unhappy person which is sad to view, but she's a murderer," she said.

"I find that the hardest part of this journey. I don't understand that people can be like that, it's beyond my comprehension and my value system."

Mother's courage

Detective Superintendent Grant Moyle said police were happy with the outcome.

"I think the sentence is very appropriate. It sends a clear message to other people contemplating such crimes that these are the consequences and we're very pleased with the outcome," he said.

He paid tribute to the courage shown by Gavare's mother, who testified against her daughter at the trial.

"It is also very pleasing to have seen the moral courage displayed by the mother in giving the evidence that she did, which certainly was a major contributor to the guilty verdicts," he said.

Police said they were not hopeful of finding any more of the remains.

How would I describe her? As a woman convicted of one of the most brutal murders that I think I've ever come across

DPP on Gavare

DPP Stephen Pallaras said the legal system worked well.

"Happy is not a good word to describe this situation. I think the community hopes that these sorts of offences will be detected and prosecuted and the defendants dealt with properly. I'm satisfied that the system has worked well," he said.

Mr Pallaras said he was stunned by Gavare's lack of remorse.

"I personally don't understand it. I don't pretend to be a psychologist but it was disturbing to see someone who could be involved in such a horrendous act as what she was involved in and not outwardly at least show some emotion," he said.

"This is a case that I find difficult to understand on a human level at least.

"How would I describe her? As a woman convicted of one of the most brutal murders that I think I've ever come across."